PCs: Balanvrast Soar

(moved here from your CTS page) --Analgesia 15:01, 24 September 2009 (CDT)

The Personal Journals of Balanvrast Soar

Faithful of the Beloved Storm Mother

I admit I have an affinity for those creatures that others of a more delicate disposition find - distasteful. However, they do have their place in this world. As my beloved lady the mother of storms teaches us, destruction is a natural process and should be feared and respected. I have come to realise through my wanderings and attempts to control the beasts I encounter, that the same is true of them. They should be feared and respected, in equal measure.

So, to business. In this journal I have decided to set down my thoughts and observations on those creatures I have encountered, but thus far found to be rather vexing in their lack of obedience. Perhaps my words shall reach out to other like minded persons, who will in turn succeed where I have merely just begun to discover.

Giant Red Scorpion - Clue 1180

I found myself wandering the parched lands of M'Chek. A loathsome place to be sure, infested with the rot and stink of humanity. Nevertheless, I found myself wandering the lands south and east of the settlement known as Blandenberg. It was in a particularly dry and arid area that I noticed some activity from afar. Approaching cautiously, I realised I was staring at the eight legged forms of some scorpions. Now, most people have heard of scorpions. Tiny little creatures with a sting in their tail. Well, these were something else. They dwarfed even the great minotaur, whose shape I have been known to assume from time to time. So, curious about these gigantic arachnids, I set about studying them.

It was immediately evident from their posture and movements, that these were not timid creatures. I have seen and studied their smaller cousins before and noted that they have a tendency to hide under small rocky outcroppings and when discovered assume a defensive stance. These great beasts in contrast are aggressive and readily press the advantage. Naturally there was only so much I could learn from afar, so I made my approach in what I thought was a non threatening manner.

It was then that I found the real sting in these creatures tails. They have a cunning and intellect I was not expecting and actually managed to ambush me! How long they knew of my presence I cannot be certain, but it was time enough for two of them to burrow under ground to appear from behind me. I shall not underestimate these creatures again.

I am reminded of the cunning of my fylgia, the spider. It too studies it's opponents before commencing battle and utilizes a sticky web to incapacitate its foes. Using whatever means at its disposal to great effect. There are indeed other similarities between my fylgia and the giant red scorpian. Both use their very toxic venom to subdue their next meal, both have a hard chitinous hide and both are merciless. I also found that they are both very independant of thought. If the similarities between the two are as close as I feel, then this would imply the scorpion is also resistent to mind affecting spells. I shall of course persevere with my studies before drawing any conclusions.

Summoned Fiendish Viper, Tiny - Clue 1227

Practicing with a summoning spell, I was able to bring a most delightful little creature to my presence. With a forked tongue and gimlet eyes, the terror regarded me. Naturally it was held by my will and so it was obedient, however reluctantly. I sought to use this obedience to bring it more fully under my control and bind it to my will in a more permanent fashion. Using a ritual similar to one I had used before, I tried to appeal to its sense of kinship. Sadly, the murderous little thing would not comply.

I would dearly love to make this wonder a true friend. Perhaps it will respond better to coercion than compulsion. Anyway, while it was still under my control I decided to exercise it somewhat, to observe any hidden strengths it might have. I must say its size does make it very difficult to hit. In fact, if it could be trained properly it would make a deadly assassin I'd wager. Imagine, a tiny poisonous little thing with sharp fangs sitting in a basket, or perhaps under a chair... unobserved. Then at the merest command it would strike!

Oh I certainly look forward to training a viper such as this one day. I wonder if it shares an affinity with the spider at all. Obviously the amount of limbs is a difficulty, but its capacity to inject venom and subdue its enemies... now that is something I could potentially work with...

Summoned Giant Spiderling - Clue 1312

Although very small, these little creatures are no more timid than their larger cousins. Indeed, when approaching one inside a cave outside of Elysia, I found myself surrounded by a great mass of varying types of spiderling. Their size lends them the ability to gang up on an enemy much more effectively than with larger spiders. Also, their small size appears to make up for their lack of a hard chitinous skin.

Anyway, overwhelmed by the number of these little friends, I was at first unable to make the usual gestures of friendship. In the end I resorted to summoning forth a single spiderling using a prayer to the Lady Verossa. I will smite some humans in her name, for I 'did' feel a connection with the spiderling she sent me. It was very imature, being so small, but I am certain that given time I will be able to bridge that gap.

Pack Bear - Clue 1249

I found myself poking around the Champions castle in Elysia and decided to pay my respects to the creatures held captive there. I do not agree with their captivity, so checking that nobody was looking, I attempted to bond my fylgia with one of the pack animals held therein. The animal I chose was a most impressive specimen. It was a bear so large it would rival even the great bears of the forest. Sadly it was being used to carry goods! No wonder it appeared so glum, sitting in its pen. Unusually it would not respond to my promise of friendship, even though I offered it freedom of a sort. Perhaps it has been in thrall for too long, or perhaps it feared what might happen if its captors found it gone.

Whatever the case, I believe it is a matter of time before I find the answer that will make it accept my offer.

Young Avlissian Owlbear - Clue 1045

Wandering around the canopies I found I had strayed off the more travelled paths. I must have missed the signs saying, "Danger!" Anyway, I happened upon some most pleasant creatures. Part owl and part bear I believe. I have heard it told that these creatures are evil creations. Well, far from it I say, they were most emenable to my way of thinking.

I sensed an interest from one of them and was able to call it to my side. Naturally I could not brind myself to force it into combat with its mates (another time perhaps), but it was a useful exercise nonetheless. I could see that it was a powerful creature, like the great bears it shares many traits with. Perhaps these owlbears are wise, as I have heard it said that owls are, although I must admit I have found owls seriously lacking in that department from my own experience. No, a spider beats an owl any day, or night.

Whatever the specific predilections of the owlbear are, I will endeavour to befriend these creatures some more. They do intrigue me and as I mentioned, they share my way of thinking. Perhaps I should try to train one to attack humans?

Huge Forest Viper - Clue 1225

Some nasty little fey attacked me in broad daylight while I was hunting new animals to study. As I was dispatching the miserable creatures, a group of giant snakes joined the fray. No doubt they sought an easy meal when they heard the fighting. Luckily my heart is cold, like the snake's and I was able to befriend one for a short time. While it fought by my side I was able to observe it had an appetite for bloodshed to match my own. The beast regarded me with a cold eye, as it tore into the fey at my feet. Interestingly, unlike its tiny cousin, it possessed get strength and displayed this as it coiled and crushed its enemies.

It would make a fine addition to my list of companions to call upon. Perhaps I shall tempt the next one with an easy meal. A halfling perhaps...

Summoned Satyr - Clue 1003

If you require someone who is not just good with a bow, but excellent, then I highly recommend a satyr. For those of you reading this that have not had the pleasure or opportunity to see the world as I have, satyrs are part man and part beast. With the horns and lower half of a goat and the upper body of a man, these fey roam the woods. I believe it is this link with their animal side that allows me to occasionally summon one with the gifts the Storm Mother has given me.

It was while I was trying to befriend an animal I had chanced upon, that I noticed something strange in the eyes of the satyr I had at my side. I do believe I could feel the beast within his heart and mind, beating with my own. Oh, if this is true just think of the things one with my talents could achieve! To have that woodland creature's skill with the bow at my command!

Time will tell. Something tells me I shall have to stock up on ale for this one.